For what it is worth, "USS" (United States Ship) designates a US Navy (war) ship. "SS" (Steam Ship) designates an old-fashioned (steam-powered) commercial ship. Would you want to ship your commercial cargo on a US military vessel? I should think not-- it would be the least efficient and most expensive way to move your cargo. Modern commercial ships are not steam powered-- they are diesel (motor powered) vessels, i.e. "MV". Diesel power is far more fuel efficient, by an order of magnitude. Furthermore, naval vessels of a given tonnage have much larger crews (several hundred sailors) than commercial vessels of much bigger tonnage(as few as twenty sailors).

Well, all those guns would preclude any "piracy" from taking place. I'm sure that Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and Steve Jobs would appreciate that. :-D Besides, modern US carriers use "nukeular" power, which lasts way longer than diesel (which we know is for wimps anyway). That's why the US Navy has such a glowing personality. :-D

And, as anyone who has watched Star Trek knows, "USS" *really* stands for "United Space Ship", as in the United Federation of Planets. So there!

OK, now I'll be serious. The story, while fictional, outlines why Free Software is so important. You have the freedom to do pretty much whatever you want with it. You also have the freedom to choose whatever level of outside support, if any, that you want. Proprietary platforms don't give you that.